Diamond Taxi Veteran Driver Stories

Diamond-Taxi Veteran-Driver Stories about the City of Montreal, in Quebec, Discriminating against Taxi-drivers, and the handicapped in wheelchairs. I’m contesting a Discriminatory Quebec-By-Law-Regulation 03-105, Section #98, governing the Quebec-taxi (A11) industry.

Defend the rights our soldiers died for -

http://www2.canada.com/northshorenews/news/viewpoint/story.html?id=a9df25e1-060d-468e-9122-616f0e816e82

Defend the rights our soldiers died for -

Elizabeth James,

North Shore News

Published: Wednesday, November 04, 2009

The Torah teaches: ‘Justice, justice, you shall pursue’

Deuteronomy 16:20

Oy vey!

Why should North Shore readers get uptight about the tribulations of a 65-year-old Montreal taxi driver who is headed to court and to the Human Rights Commission, because he refuses to pay $1,400 in municipal fines?

Fair question, especially when we discover that he has ignored not one but six fines, the first of which dates back three years or more.

He has no-one to blame but himself, right?

We should care because, time and again, we have asked our soldiers to go to war to defend the Canadian and Quebec Charter rights of citizens to enjoy freedom of expression and of religion. Specific to this story, Canadian soldiers fought, and are still fighting and dying, to protect the rights of people like Arieh Perecowicz — a Canadian of the Jewish faith — should he wish to enjoy small mementoes of his family and faith in his workplace. Nothing in either charter — documents superior to those of bureaucratic bylaws — bans anyone from doing so.

The workplace Arieh speaks of just happens to be the taxi he drives around Montreal for 15 hours of the day.

It’s a case of common-sense justice.

To set the stage:

Arieh has been driving cab in Montreal since 1966; no troubles, no passenger complaints and, so far as I can discover, no tickets.

For most of those 43 years, he has carried with him two mezuzahs — tiny parchment prayers for a safe journey common to his faith. They are fixed to the frame between the front and back seats of the cab. He also carries photos of his wife and son, a blue and white Star of David, a Remembrance Day poppy and another tiny flag — the red and white Maple Leaf. These are the symbols of everything that makes Arieh the man he was, is, and wishes to be.

He treasures the symbol of Canada — a country that prides itself on being tolerant to all; a country that professes its belief in freedom of speech and religion and that, for one day every November, honours the veterans of past and present wars by wearing the poppy in its collective lapel.

How ironic, then, that this cabbie must go before a court and a tribunal to defend those rights all over again — in a province, no less, that has cost us dearly in its own constitutional struggles to be unique above all others in Canada.

This is because 30 years along Arieh’s travels, a municipal agency, the Bureau du Taxi, was established to administer the bylaws that cover licensing and safe operation of city taxicabs — and administer they did.

One of the city bylaws states: Every driver must ensure that the interior of the taxi is clean, remove papers and litter, empty ashtrays, and leave no object or inscription that is not required for the taxi to be in service or that is not provided for in this bylaw.

The loopholes for an officer’s subjective opinion are large enough to drive a bylaw van through; but this cabbie knew his taxi and his 43-year record were clean. He had been inspected on numerous occasions by both Transport Quebec officers and Bureau inspectors and passed with flying colours.

Arieh had no reason to worry about regulations until, in December 2006, the first of the tickets arrived — less than a week after he and several other drivers appeared on television to complain that the Bureau was failing to regulate unlicensed, out-of-city cab companies. Such a coincidence.

But who among us believes in the coincidences of government?

Why is it that, for example, drivers of Greek descent who display photos of the Virgin Mary, or others who hang rosary beads near their rear view mirror have received no tickets?

Arieh is in no position to hire a lawyer. So, after his court date has been set back six months to April 2010, Arieh must now defend himself against the power of Montreal bylaw officers, who have declared he has no right to be overt in the expression of his beliefs.

As Arieh explained in a weekend radio interview with CKNW host, Roy Green, “I am not especially religious; these tokens are just the stuff most of us have on our desks or pin to the cork-boards at work because they make our world a more pleasant place.

“None of my passengers has ever complained. Not about my driving; not about the condition or safety of my cab, and certainly not about my tokens.”

So to answer the question posed at the beginning of this story: Whether or not we are “especially religious,” for the sake of our country, and to honour the soldiers who defend it, we need to care; for inasmuch as it has been done unto Arieh Perecowicz, it has been done unto us all.

This column is in honour of all who have served, and are serving, in Canadian Forces around the world to defend the values we hold dear. It is also to offer condolences to the families of the 133 Canadian soldiers who have died in Afghanistan — most recently, Lt. Justin Garrett Boyes, 26 and Sapper Steven Marshall of Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry, both of whom lost their lives to IEDs within days of their deployment in October.

Elizabeth James is a North Shore writer and editor.

 

http://www2.canada.com/northshorenews/news/viewpoint/story.html?id=a9df25e1-060d-468e-9122-616f0e816e82&p=1

http://toyoufromfailinghands.blogspot.com/

http://toyoufromfailinghands.blogspot.com/2009/11/veterans-week-2009-and-remembrance-day.html

Veterans Affairs Canada

www.vac-acc.gc.ca

www.forces.gc.ca

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/poster

National Defence and the Canadian Forces

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/focus/nov11/video-eng.asp

November 5, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | "anti-Semitic", Bureau du taxi, Religion, Handicapped, Wheelchair, Commission des transports du Québec, Democracy, Discrimination, Discrimination, taxi, Montreal, Quebec, Expression, Disabled, Freedom, Freedom, Immigrants, Minorities, Law, Human-Rights, Legislation, Driver, Racism, Harassment, Rights, Rights, Transportation, Veteran, Elderly, Charter, CTQ, equality | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

Yaghoghil Shaolian detained in Iranian-prison accused of espionage

Yaghoghil Shaolian has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison

Thursday, 29 October, 2009

An email reply from Professor Hon. Mr. Irwin Cotler, MP 

(Mount Royal, Lib.) Canadian Parliament

RE: Yaghoghil Shaolian, 19‏

From: CotleI@parl.gc.ca
Sent: October 29, 2009 1:13:37 PM
To: ariehperecowicz@msn.com

Dear Arieh,

Thank you for your e-mail regarding Yaghoghil Shaolian.

I have been working in concert  with others to free the detainees. Indeed I spoke yet again about this in Parliament today and will be doing so again tomorrow. 

We will keep doing what we can.
Irwin Cotler

The above email was in responce to the following email from

October 21, 2009

From: Arieh Perecowicz [mailto:ariehperecowicz@msn.com]
Sent: October 21, 2009 9:48 PM
To: Cotler, Irwin – Riding 1; Cotler, Irwin – M.P.; Mr. Howard Liebman
Cc: Enza Martuccelli; Enza Martuccelli
Subject: FW: Yaghoghil Shaolian, 19

Hello Mr. Cotler and Mr. Howard, 

I suppose, it is time to investigate as to whether Yaghoghil Shaolian is still alive and his where about,

than to do ALL we can to get him FREE!

Three months in an Iranian-prison, for a teenager, is 92 days to long!!!
 
Time for action if it is not too late?

Arieh Perecowicz ariehperecowicz@msn.com

CELL        : 514-235-4225

ADDRESS: 5450, Cranbrooke Ave. Apt. #106,
                    Cote-St.-Luc, (Mtl.), Quebec, H4X-2E1

22 Oct 2009 : Column 1617W

Iran: Religious Freedom

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the human rights situation of the Jewish community in Iran since July 2009; and if he will make a statement. [293293]

22 Oct 2009 : Column 1619W

Mr. Ivan Lewis: The situation of the Jewish community in Iran has long been of concern to us. Its members have suffered discrimination under the Islamic Republic: for example, Iranian Jews are barred from running for President, and from a number of professions, such as the armed forces. President Ahmadinejad’s repeated denials of the Holocaust— most recently at the UN General Assembly in September—only serve to increase our concern.

We have been disturbed by the Iranian authorities’ response to the protests that followed the disputed June 2009 presidential election, and in particular by the death and imprisonment sentences handed down in recent days. One of those convicted was the Jewish teenager, Yaghoghil Shaolian. He has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison. We are seeking more information about his case, as well as those of the other defendants, and will raise our concerns with the Iranian authorities, since those convicted and sentenced appear to have been denied a fair trial.

22 October 2009

We have been disturbed by the Iranian authorities’ response to the protests that followed the disputed June 2009 presidential election, and in particular by the death and imprisonment sentences handed down in recent days. One of those convicted was the Jewish teenager, Yaghoghil Shaolian. He has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

We are seeking more information about his case, as well as those of the other defendants, and will raise our concerns with the Iranian authorities, since those convicted and sentenced appear to have been denied a fair trial.

http://www.fotoglif.com/f/7t9p5ba4foqv

Photo from fOTOGLIF

Iranian Jewish teenager Yaghoghil Shaolian, appears in court for his alleged involvement in the turmoil following the recent presidential election on in Tehran, Iran on August 16, 2009. Iran began the third mass trial on Sunday of those arrested on charges of rioting following the disputed presidential vote in Tehran. UPI/ILNA/Hoshang Hadi Photo via Newscom

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?blobcol=urlimage&blobheader=image%2Fjpeg&blobheadername1=Cache-Control&blobheadervalue1=max-age%3D420&blobkey=id&blobtable=JPImage&blobwhere=1249418615179&cachecontrol=5%3A0%3A0+*%2F*%2F*&ssbinary=true

Yaghoghil Shaolian, 19, Jewish-Teenager

17 August, 2009

By Nasser Karimi Associated Press Teheran

August 16th, 2009

Iran defies condemnation, expands opposition trial

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran expanded a mass trial of opposition supporters on Sunday with the addition of 25 defendants — including a Jewish teenager — in defiance of international condemnation, as France said Iran agreed to release a French woman held on spying charges from prison…

The trial, now in its third session…

The U.S. last week labeled the event a “show trial.”…

The additional defendants brought the total number being tried to 135…

A 24-year-old French academic, Clotilde Reiss,… was freed Sunday from an Iranian prison,…

France is also asking for all charges to be dropped against another of its citizens, Nazak Afshar…She appeared during a previous court session before being released from prison…

One of the new defendants was Yaghoghil Shaolian, 19, a member of Iran’s Jewish community, which numbers about 25,000 people. He was quoted by the semiofficial Fars news agency as saying that he was not an activist but that he got caught up in the moment and threw stones at a Tehran bank during a protest.

Iran’s only Jewish parliamentarian, Siamak Mereh Sedq, confirmed the detention of Shaolian and his Jewish identity to The Associated Press. He said the detention was not connected to his religion and that Shaolian is innocent.

Yaghoghil Shaolian, 19, was quoted as saying he did not join the protests, but just threw some stones at a bank branch in central Tehran on June 14, resulting in his arrest.

The report said lawyer of Shaolian asked the court for a reasonable and fair prosecution due to Shaolian’s youth.

Iran’s sole Jewish parliamentarian, Siamak Mereh Sedq, confirmed the detention of Shaolian and his Jewish identity to The Associated Press.

“I have been pursuing his case since we learned about his detention,” said Mereh Sedq. He said Shaolian’s detention was not related to his religion.

“He is innocent, we hope to see his release soon based on Islamic mercy,” he said.

Shaolian’s trial is the first time a Jew has been tried in Iran since 2000 when 13 Jews were charged with spying for Israel.

“I have been treated with good behavior in jail, specially considering that I am from a religious minority,” Yaghoghil Shaolian, a 29-year-old Jew, said during the third court hearing of those detained during unrests after June 12 presidential election in Iran.

Also during his defense, Shaolian apologized to the Iranian people and Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei for his participation in the unrests.

According to indictment filed against him by Tehran’s prosecutor general, Shaolian is accused of acting against national security through participating in illegal rallies, vandalizing and setting ablaze public and private properties and propagation against the Islamic Republic.

The prosecutor opened the trial with a general indictment of all 25 defendants, accusing them of plotting the post-election disturbances years ahead of time, said the state news agency.

The semi-official Fars news agency reported one of the people on trial belonged to Iran’s Jewish community.

Yaghoghil Shaolian, 19, was quoted as saying he did not join the protests, but just threw some stones at a bank branch in central Teheran on June 14, resulting in his arrest.

 

October 22, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | Expression, Disabled, Freedom, Human-Rights, Racism, Harassment, Rights, Rights | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

Turkey responsible for Armenian GENOCIDE

These videos are response to Ayrılık 14. Bölüm 1. Kısım

LET US NOT FORGET WHO TURKEY WAS AND STILL IS!!!

October 14, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | "anti-Semitic", Blood-Liebl, Freedom, Human-Rights, Racism, Harassment, Rights, equality, gender equality | , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Swedish, the so-called enlightened and Liberal Europeans?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22CGlF7l5MI&feature=player_embedded

Swedish, the so-called enlightened and Liberal Europeans turning a blind eye to real human rights abusers, anti-Semitism satire clip a hit hitting Sweden’s sensitive nerve – MUST be seen!

Abba in Latma’s Studio +English Subs

Norway is following Swedens Antisemitic lead. The Norwegian governments pension fund just sold its stock in Israels Elbit defense contractor due to Elbits provision of

September 18, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | "anti-Semitic", Blood-Liebl, Democracy, Discrimination, Expression, Disabled, Freedom, Human-Rights, Racism, Harassment, Rights, equality | , , , , , | 3 Comments

Media Advisory – Avis Aux Medias

Media Advisory – Avis Aux Medias

 

Attention : Éditeur de tâche 

 

POUR DISTRIBUTION IMMÉDIAT   

Le 8 Septembre, 2009

 

Un chauffeur de taxi de Montréal conteste des tickets discriminatoires du

Bureau du Taxi devant la Cour Municipal de Montréal le 29 Septembre

2009

 

———————————————————————————————-

   

Montréal – le 8 Septembre, 2009 – Arieh Perecowicz, un chauffeur de taxi

Montréalais de religion juive, sera devant la Cour Municipal pour contester des tickets reçus du Bureau du Taxi de Montréal qu’il considère injustifiés et même

Discriminatoires. Alors, pour avoir dans sa voiture une photo de sa fille et du

leader (Rabbi) de mouvement Chabad Lubavitch, ainsi que 2 mezuzahs et un coquelicot du jour du Souvenir, il devrait payer plus de $1400 en amendes.        

 

Le procès commencera le 29 Septembre à la Cour Municipal. Mr. Perecowicz

Conteste la section 98 du règlement au motif qu’elle est inconstitutionnelle.

Il se disputera que la Ville de Montréal a dépasse son autorité, et a viole sa

Droite constitutionnelle à la liberté de religion et la liberté d’expression.

 

 

Quand :         Le 29 Septembre, 30 et le 1 Octobre, 2009 à 9:30 h

 

Où :                Cour Municipal de Montréal,

775 Rue Gosford Montréal,

Montréal, Québec

Chambre #1.10

                       

Pour les informations supplémentaires ou une entrevue:

 

Arieh Perecowicz 

5450, Cranbrooke Ave. Apt. #106,
Cote-St.-Luc, (Mtl.), Quebec, H4X-2E1

Cell: 514-235-4225 

Email: ariehperecowicz@msn.com

 

 

 

 

Attention: Assignment editor

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 8, 2009

 

TRIAL TO BEGIN IN CASE CHALLENGING CITY’S RIGHT TO BAN PATRIOTIC AND RELIGIOUS OBJECTS FROM CABS

  

———————————————————————————————-

  

Montreal – September 8, 2009 -The trial in the case of The City of Montreal – v- Arieh Perecowicz will begin on September 29th at Montreal Municipal-Court. The Defendant will plead that the City illegally issued a slew of tickets in retribution for his public campaign to get the Bureau du Taxi to crack down on illegal-taxis.

 

He will also argue that the City of Montreal exceeded its authority, and violated his constitutional right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression, by ordering him to remove a picture of his rabbi and car’s mezuzah (among other objects) from his cab.

When:            September 29, 30 and October 1, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.

 

Where:           Montreal Municipal Court,

                        775 rue Gosford

                        Montreal, Quebec

                        Room #1.10

 

For additional information or to schedule an interview contact:

 

Arieh Perecowicz 

5450, Cranbrooke Ave. Apt. #106,
Cote-St.-Luc, (Mtl.), Quebec, H4X-2E1

Cell: 514-235-4225

Email: ariehperecowicz@msn.com

September 7, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | Bureau du taxi, Religion, Handicapped, Wheelchair, Discrimination, Discrimination, taxi, Montreal, Quebec, Expression, Disabled, Freedom, Freedom, Immigrants, Minorities, Law, Human-Rights, Legislation, Driver, Racism, Harassment, Rights, Transportation, Veteran, Elderly, Charter, CTQ, equality | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

‘Yom Hashloshim’

‘Yom Hashloshim’

 

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1104635.html

 

A straight’s prayer for young Israelis shot for being gay

 

Mourn these young people

Liz Trobishi, 17, and Nir Katz, 26,

of blessed memory,

shot late Saturday by a gunman,

in a Tel Aviv club for gay teens,
for having chosen to practice

their own humanity.

Force me to see that

what I am so certain that I hate,

the clear, familiar targets of my fury,

are already inside me.

 

By Bradley Burston

כאן היתה שנאה, אהבה לא הורגת 

הזכות לאהוב מוקנה לכל אדם

Troubled times in our society

‘He always walked with his head high’

קשה מאוד להאמין שיכולה להיות כזאת רשעות, כזאת שטנה, לגדוע חיים של בני נוער שעדיין לא טעמו את טעם החיים

It is very hard to believe that can be such an evil, such a hate, to chop life of youth that did not yet taste the taste of life

There is NO Democracy withOUT Equality

August 30, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | Discrimination, Expression, Disabled, Freedom, Human-Rights, Racism, Harassment, Rights, equality, gender equality | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Boycott products manufactured by anti-Semitic blood-libel Sweden

 

http://www.petitiononline.com/ariehper/petition.html

 

Boycott products manufactured by anti-Semitic blood-libel Sweden

Petition is directed to: Embassy of Sweden Ottawa

                                               

 

Online Petition Boycotting Sweden’s Businesses, Corporations, Products & Trademarks

Boycott products manufactured by Sweden

After publication by anti-Semitic blood-libel-text, of middle-ages-days’ style, against the IDF soldiers and the refusal of the Foreign- Affairs Minister & Head of State, The Prime-Minister, of Sweden to condemn the publication it is no longer possible that we will continue to consume products manufactured by Sweden, please, do not be satisfied only by signing this petition, there is also a real need for real acting by actually banning & boycotting Sweden as a whole!!!

לאחר הפרסום האנטישמי ועלילת הדם נוסח ימי הביניים נגד חיילי צה”ל וסירובם של שר החוץ וראש ממשלת שבדיה לגנות פרסום זה לא ייתכן שנמשיך לצרוך מוצרים מתוצרת שבדיה, אנא, אל תסתפקו רק בחתימה על העצומה, יש צורך גם במעשה של ממש!!! 

List of boycotting / banning items

  1. 1.           IKEA
  2. 2.           VOLVO
  3. 3.           SAAB
  4. 4.           ERICSSON
  5. 5.           VODKA ABSOLUTE
  6. 6.           H&M
  7. 7.           TELSA
  8. 8.           MEAT BALLS
  9. 9.           HUSQVARNA
  10. 10.   BABY BJOURN
  11. 11.   SAS SWEDEN-AIRLINE
  12. 12.   Dls
  13. 13.   THULE 
  14. 14.    JONSERED
  15. 15.   TORPATOFFELN
  16. 16.   SCANIA
  17. 17.   MASAGES (girls)                                If you know of any other products manufactured by Sweden, please, you are welcomed to add & update the petition

ועוד… אם מישהו יודע על עוד מוצרים מתוצרת שבדיה המשווקים בארץ מוזמן לעדכן את יוצרי העצומה

  

Sweden’s Shameful Blood Libel

http://blog.echurchwebsites.org.uk/2009/08/27/swedens-shameful-blood-libel/comment-page-1/#comment-2917

http://www.aish.com/jw/me/55315672.html

Blood Libel in Sweden

The outrageous accusation of stolen body parts.

 

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/08/swedens_blood_libel_of_israel.html

 

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/34481_The_Swedish_Blood_Libel

 

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0824/1224253138652.html

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=aaiWOVhLHAr4

 

http://www.atzuma.co.il/petition/moranhb/1/

a2a_linkname=”Diamond Taxi Veteran Driver Stories”;a2a_linkurl=”http://lionpuppyheart.wordpress.com/”;

August 26, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | "anti-Semitic", Blood-Liebl, Expression, Disabled, Freedom, Racism, Harassment, Rights, Uncategorized | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Probe urged into Iran jail RAPE While the WORLD is SILENCE

Probe urged into Iran jail RAPE

While the WORLD is SILENCE

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/08/200981083847122429.html

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8192660.stm

200 people arrested during the mass protests… several women and men were repeatedly abused by their jailers… detained girls have been sexually assaulted with brutality… Young boys held in detention have also been savagely raped… they were suffering from depression and serious physical harm after the alleged attacks… deaths of at least three people in custody… tortured to death…

August 10, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | Democracy, Discrimination, Expression, Disabled, Freedom, Human-Rights, Racism, Harassment, Rights, equality | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Iran authorities kill 7 lawyers

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1249418544518&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Report: Iran authorities kill 7 lawyers

Seven lawyers in Tabriz and Mashhad who had been representing young Iranians detained in post-presidential election protests have been killed by the Iranian authorities in recent days… Their deaths have deterred other lawyers from taking detainees’ cases… the bodies of five lawyers were returned to their families earlier this week… The five had been representing some of the hundreds of Iranians detained in the northwestern city during the post-election protests… They were so badly beaten that their families could barely recognize their faces… were made an example of by the regime -… they were framed by the regime’s local authorities… The regime’s aim was to discourage other lawyers and activists from taking their places…

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1249418543771&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

‘Press association in Iran shut down’

 

Why Are We Silence?

August 7, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | Democracy, Discrimination, Expression, Disabled, Freedom, Freedom, Immigrants, Minorities, Law, Human-Rights, Racism, Harassment, Rights, equality | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

“Ani Nitzachti” – TRIBUTE to Nir Katz & Liz Turbeshi

YouTube – Dana InternationalNitzachti (New Version 

14 Aug 2006 

Ani Nitzachti (I Won) – New Version

Birth name Yaron Cohen
Born February 2, 1972 (1972-02-02) (age 37)
Israel
Genre(s) Dance, Pop, World
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s) Vocals
Years active 1992 – present
Label(s) Hed Arzi Music
Website www.DanaInternational.co.il

Sharon Cohen (Hebrew: דנה אינטרנשיונל‎), professionally known as Dana International (born Yaron Cohen, 2 February, 1972) is an Israeli pop singer of a Yemenite Jewish, and Romanian Jewish origin.

She is most famous for having won the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest with her song “Diva.” She is arguably one of the most famous transsexual celebrities in the world. Her career began in 1992, and since then she has released eight albums and three additional compilation albums, positioning herself as one of Israel’s most successful musical acts ever.

She was born Yaron Cohen to Yemenite parents as the youngest of three children after sister Limor and brother Nimrod. Cohen was named after an uncle who had been killed during a terrorist attack. Though born biologically male, Cohen identified as a female from a very young age. Cohen wanted to become a singer ever since she was eight-years-old and saw legendary Israeli singer Ofra Haza performing her song “Chai” in the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest. Although the family was quite poor, Cohen’s mother worked to pay for Cohen’s music lessons, and she has explained that her childhood was rather happy.

Cohen came out as transsexual at the age of 13.

The first tragedy in Cohen’s life was the death of her best friend Daniel, who died in an automobile accident. Cohen asserts that Daniel had prophesied that she would someday have a successful singing career, and claims that Daniel’s prediction is what pushed her to become the singer she wanted to be.

 

Lyrics 

 

The good and the bad look quite the same,

After all the things I’ve been gone through.

 

From all the loves and all the memories,

From the way I started to the way I ended up.

 

I do not know what other people think

Of the way which I walked in,

It doesn’t matter what they say.

 

I won. I won.

 

I’ve succeeded, failed, fell and raised.

I won. I won.

I’ve succeeded, failed, fell and raised.

I won. I won.

 

The justice and the crime look quite the same,

After all the things I’ve done.

 

The same stars in night and day are above the walls I’ve built.

I do not know what other people think

On the way which I walked in, it doesn’t matter what they say.

 

I won. I won.

 

I’ve succeeded, failed, fell and raised.

I won. I won.

 

I’ve succeeded, failed, fell and raised.

 

I was the most malicious person in the world.

I did the perfect journey.

 

I want it all.

I touched it all.

 

I won. I won.

 

I’ve succeeded, failed, fell and raised.

I won. I won.

 

I won. I won.

 

I’ve succeeded, failed, fell and raised.

I won. I won.

I won.

הטוב והרע נראים לגמרי

אחרי כל הדברים שעברתי

 

מכל האהבות וכל הזיכרונות 

שגמרתי איך עד מאיך שהתחלתי

 

אחרים אני לא יודעת מה חושבים

שבה הלכתי הדרך על (כי)

לא חשוב לי מה אומרים

 

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

 

ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי          

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

 

(את) ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי              

 

הצדק והפשע נראים לגמרי

אחרי כל הדברים שעשיתי

 

כוכבים אותם ובלילה  ביום

מהחומות שבניתי

אחרים אני לא יודעת מה חושבים

שבה הלכתי הדרך על

לא חשוב לי מה אומרים

 

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי          

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

 

ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי          

 

מכל האהבות וכל הזיכרונות 

שגמרתי איך עד מאיך שהתחלתי

 

אחרים אני לא יודעת מה חושבים

שבה הלכתי הדרך על

לא חשוב לי מה אומרים

 

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

 

ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי          

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

 

ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי          

 

הייתי אכי רעה בעולם

המשע המושלם עשיתי את

 

רציתי הכל

נגעתי בכל

 

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי          

 

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי          

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

 

אני ניצחתי.   

August 5, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | Democracy, Discrimination, Expression, Disabled, Freedom, Human-Rights, Racism, Harassment, Rights, equality, gender equality | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

A TRIBUTE in MEMORY to Nir Katz and Liz Trubeshi

  A TRIBUTE in MEMORY

To Nir Katz and Liz Trubeshi

Murdered

 In an Israeli gay Youth- Support

Community-centre in Tel-Aviv

1 August 2009

For those who know the story behind Dana International she sings & performs about her/his personal (Ani) winning (Nizachti) against homophobia in Israel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xzVpagLjPs&feature=related

Dana International- Ani Nizachti

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVB5nFNk7xw&feature=related

Dana International – Ani Nitzachti (New Version)

 

August 4, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | Democracy, Discrimination, Expression, Disabled, Freedom, Human-Rights, Racism, Harassment, Rights, equality, gender equality | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Tribute In Memory of the Murdered Nir Katz & Liz Trubeshi

                      In Memory of the Murdered Nir Katz & Liz  Trubeshi

                                                            

                                         Gunman attacks Israeli gay

                                     community-centre in Tel-Aviv

                                      Troubled times in our society

קשה מאוד להאמין שיכולה להיות כזאת רשעות, כזאת שטנה, לגדוע חיים של בני נוער שעדיין לא טעמו את טעם החיים 

It is very hard to believe that can be such an evil, such a hate, to chop life of youth that did not yet taste the taste of life

It’s inconceivable that in the state of Israel, there are entire sectors in which the issue is taboo in their education establishments

There is NO Democracy withOUT Equality

כאן היתה שנאה, אהבה לא הורגת 

הזכות לאהוב מוקנה לכל אדם 

He was only 26… She was only 16…

‘He always walked with his head high’

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3755985,00.html

 

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3755734,00.html

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/orengutman/3783262061/

 

http://www.gay.com.br/blog/destaques/2009/08/02/nir-katz-e-liz-trubeshi-vitimas/

 

http://twitter.com/gaycombr/status/3086613012

 

http://www.members.alertnet.org/thenews/pictures/JER44.htm

 

http://ukhudshanskiy.livejournal.com/315256.html

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Myriyk7Jk

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2MbgUiyI7M&feature=channel

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEJ15pnTdmg&feature=related

 

 

August 4, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | Democracy, Discrimination, Expression, Disabled, Freedom, Human-Rights, Racism, Harassment, Rights | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

780 Victims of Nigerian clashes buried in mass graves

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/08/03/nigeria.violence/index.html

780 Victims of Nigerian clashes buried in mass graves

[…] bury them as soon as possible […] bodies being exposed to northern Nigeria’s heat […] 3,600 people were displaced in the attacks […] fighting comes amid attacks by the Muslim militants […]

August 3, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | Democracy, Discrimination, Freedom, Freedom, Immigrants, Minorities, Law, Human-Rights, Racism, Harassment, Rights | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

CANADIAN MUSLIMS fail to denounce recent terrorist attacks

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Deathly+silence+over+jihad/1847101/story.html

Deathly silence over jihad 

CANADIAN MUSLIMS fail to denounce recent terrorist attacks

By TAREK FATAH, Freelance July 31, 2009

Some Islamic scholars teach the concept of holy war.

[...] Some Canadian media ensure jihad is never mentioned in the same sentence as a terrorist attack [...] and the ideology and theology that require Muslims to wage [...]

The Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) is Deathly Silence over Jihad while: Jihadi Islamists carried out a terrorist attacks in Indonesia, causing many casualties, the Muslim-dominated parts of northern Nigeria, where more than 200 people have been killed, and killed & maimed dozens of Muslims in Jakarta.

August 2, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | Democracy, Freedom, Human-Rights, Racism, Harassment, Rights | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

‘He always walked with his head high’

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1249223903719&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

 

Vigil for TA attack held in Jerusalem

[…]Solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) after two people were killed and more than a dozen injured on Saturday night […] people congregating to honor the dead […] a horrible reminder of the serious threats to the democratic spectrum of liberties. Again we learn that no man is an island and no place is a safe bubble. We will not ask for whom the alarm bell tolls today – it tolls for all of us.” […]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1248277951874&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

‘He always walked with his head high’

Nir Katz, the 26-year-old counselor killed in Saturday’s shooting attack in a Tel Aviv gay community center, had recently completed his army service as a career officer and had started computer studies at the Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center. He had been serving as a counselor at the center for several years and was there every Saturday to help teenagers come to terms with their sexual identity.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/Page/VideoPlayer&cid=1194419829128&videoId=1249223903714

Gay community leader Noa Raz: Some family members leaned about children’s sexual identity from TV

Gay community leader Noa Raz: Some family members leaned about children’s sexual identity from TV

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1248277947570&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Hunt still on for TA gay center shooter

[…] The two fatalities were named later as 26-year-old counselor Nir Katz, from Givatayim, and Liz Turbeshi, 17, from Holon.  Their bodies were found in the center by paramedics [...] […] “Today, someone sent a message that gays in Tel Aviv and Israel are not safe” […]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1194419829128&pagename=JPost%2FPage%2FVideoPlayer&videoId=1249223903707

  • Tel Aviv resident: Shooter was the same as a Hamas terrorist

 

August 2, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | Democracy, Discrimination, Expression, Disabled, Freedom, Human-Rights, Racism, Harassment, Rights | , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gunman attacks Israeli gay community-centre

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/08/01/israel.club.shooting/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8180080.stm

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8180127.stm

Gunman attacks Israeli gay community-centre

2 dead, 11 hurt in shooting

at gay club in Israel

A lone gunman has killed two people and wounded at least 10 at a gay support centre in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv before escaping.

Most of the victims were gay teenagers, who were meeting at the centre on Nachmani street when the gunman entered and started firing indiscriminately.

The black-clad man is still at large and police have ordered the temporary closure of all gay clubs in the city.

 

Embedded video from CNN Video

August 2, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | Democracy, Discrimination, Freedom, Human-Rights, Racism, Harassment, Rights | , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Remembering Neda 40 days later:

July 31, 2009 Posted by lionpuppyheart | Democracy, Discrimination, Expression, Disabled, Freedom, Human-Rights, Racism, Harassment, Rights | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments Yet